Can opening and contents dispensing device



March 11, 1952 H. E. KUEHN 2,588,541

CAN OPENING AND CONTENTS DISPENSING DEVICE Filed 001.. 12, 1948 Inventor: Havr E. Kuehn,

Patented Mar. 11, 1952 CAN OPENING AND CONTENTS DISPENSING DEVICE Harry E. Kuehn, Albany, N. Y.

Application October 12, 1948, Serial No. 54,108

1 Claim. 1

My invention relates to can openers, and particularly to a combination can opener and dispenser which is adapted to be positively locked to the top of a tin can.

The common domestic practice in opening tin cans containing fluids, such as milk, fruit juices, and syrups, is merely to punch two diametrically opposed holes in the top of such a can. One of the holes is used to dispense the fluid, while the other functions to admit air into the can. This method is at best inadequate, messy, and highly unsanitary. The liquids being dispensed have a tendency to spill over the side of the can, and also to collect on the top and solidify, thereby clogging the punched holes.

The principal object of my invention is to provide an inexpensive combination can opening and contents dispensing device which may be positively locked to the top of a tin can to provide a spout through which the liquid in the can may be neatly dispensed.

I accomplish this object by means of the novel combination and arrangement of elements described below and illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a tin can with my device locked on the top thereof;

Fig. 2 is an exploded, enlarged perspective view of my device;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary, enlarged, front elevation view of my device positioned on the top of a tin can;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, enlarged, rear elevation view of my device showing a portion of the can top in section and my locking means in unlocked position; and

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 with the locking means in locked position.

Referring to the drawings and more particularly to Figs. 1, 2 and 3- I indicates generally a fiat elongated element which forms the main structural member of my device. Turned down at the forward end of this element are two flat hooks 2, each of which is adapted to engage the underneath part of the rim of a tin can 3, as best shown in Figs. 1 and 3. Centrally disposed between these two hook portions 2 and extending a substantial distance beyond the front end of the element I is a spout 4 having a concave cross section as best shown at 5 in Fig. 3. The spout 4 extends rearwardly and communicates with the struck out portion 6 which has a depending, pointed, sharpened end I. On either edge of the element I, and extending from the front thereof rearwardly to 2 a zone slightly behind the struck out portion 6, the edges 8 are bent upwardly and outwardly at about a 45 angle to the plane of the flat-element I. Adapted to slide on these edges 8, and fit snugly thereon is the cover 9, having an opening I0 therein, which cooperates with the-spout -4, when the cover is positioned on the element I. The rear of the cover is depressed, as shown at II, in order to insure a snug fit where'the rear of the cover comes in contact with the surface of the flat element I, slightly behind the struck out portion 6. A depression I2 may be provided in the fiat element I at this point, and a depending teat I3 complementary thereto may be provided in the portion II of the cover 9, so that when the cover is positioned on the flat element I, the teat I3 will engage the depression I2, thereby securing the cover 9 firmly on the element I. Behind the depression I2, and spaced from the rear end of element I, is the locking means comprising a triangular shaped blade I4, fastened by riveting I5 or other appropriate means to the shaft I6 which is rotatably mounted in the element I. Washers I! secured to shaft I6 and on either side of the element I prevent vertical movement of the shaft I6 and maintain at least the upper corners of the blade I4 in spaced relation to the lower washer. At the top of the shaft I6, and fastened at right angles thereto is a handle I8 with which the blade and shaft may be turned. The edges of the blade I4 are sharpened, and the width at the top thereof exceeds the maximum thickness of the blade and the shaft. A depressed portion I9 may be provided at the rear; of the element I, to provide a finger or thumb grip when the device is being attached to the can.

My device is preferably made of metal, but portions of it, such as the cover, or the handle I8 may be made of plastic or any other suitable material.

To operate my device, it will be apparent that the hooks 2 are merely positioned under the rim of the can, and the device then pressed down towards the can. The pointed end I of the struck out portion 6 will pierce the top of the can and curl a portion of said top of the can coextensive therewith downwardly and inwardly. This coextensive strip of metal will be pressed tightly against the underside of the element 6. The blade I4 is preferably inserted parallel to the longitudinal axis of the element I, and then, after the entire blade has entered the can, the handle I8 is turned through an arc of thereby locking the device to the top of the can. It

will also be apparent that the slot cut by this blade M will serve as an opening to admit air to the can as the contents of the can is flowin out the spout portion. The cover may be positioned on the element l before this attaching operation, or it may be attached afterwards. Thereafter, merely by tilting the can, any desired amount of the contents of the can may be poured therefrom.

While Ihave described my invention in its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the words I have used are words of description rather than of limitation, and that chan esrwithin the purview of the appended claimcmaylbe made without departing from the tnue scope,and spirit of my invention.

WhatIcla-im is:

A can opening and contents dispensing device comprising a fiat, elongated, metal element adapted to lie on top of a can; said element having laterally spaced 'dependinghooksat one =end thereof-adaptedto engage the underneath -part-=of-the rim of'said can, and having an opening therein adjacent said end formed by strik- '-i-ng a-centrally disposedportion of said element downwardly; 'said struck down portion being pointed'at its lower end adapting it to penetrate the-top of-saidcan; and 'the-portionof 'said element between said hooks being depressed to form a shallow discharge trough extending from a point beyond said hooks to and merging with said struck down portion; a cover slidably coopcrating with the upper surface and the lateral edges of said element adjacent said trough and overlying said opening and a portion of said trough; and,means for locking said device to the topcof =said camcomprisin aa fiat. pointed blade rotatably mounted'in said element and .,adapted to be pressed through the top .of said can, and having a handle thereon for turning said iiladeiafter it has passed through said top.

HARRY E. KUEHN.

REFERENCES CITED *Thefollowingv references are of record in the f11e-.;of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number N ame Date 675:2'17 "Henry May328; 1901 1,330,803 -Harris Feb; 17;1920 2,089,907 Lyons Aug. 10, 1937 1 2,1 315631 Lackstrom et a1. -'Sept. 27,1 1938 2,344,680 De 'Cosmo aMar. 121, 1944 2 ,522,420 "Witte et al Sept.;12,il950 

